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A man who made "monkey" gestures at Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has been found guilty of racism.
Philip Gannon, 58, was filmed on TV cameras apparently aiming abuse at the French defender during Liverpool's FA Cup tie with Manchester United in January at Anfield.
The Liverpool FC fan pleaded not guilty to a racially-aggravated public order offence and using threatening or anti-social behaviour causing harrassment, alarm or distress.
But after a two-day trial the former carpenter and joiner was convicted at Liverpool Magistrates Court.
Father-of-five Gannon, had denied making a monkey gesture at Evra, and said that he was imitating a caveman, since he was calling Manchester United fans "Neanderthals".
Rob Girvan, prosecuting, had said: "This gesture was caught on camera and it was seen globally not just nationally.
"There was a volatile and tense atmosphere at the game because of a player on the pitch who said he was a victim of racial abuse.
"The defendant saying he was impersonating a Neanderthal is just a childish excuse to cover up what he did.
"It was clearly a racist gesture."
The Chairman of Magistrates told Gannon: "We have observed that the gesture you made was one of a monkey. We find the evidence of witnesses credible."
He referred to how Gannon had recounted how former Liverpool and England player John Barnes had suffered similar taunting gestures during his playing career.
The magistrate added: "That was racism."
Gannon, of Heol Meirion, Barnmouth, will be sentenced at when the court resumes at 2pm.
